Today’s episode features Doug Jobes, Regenerative Ranching Advisor at the Noble Research Institute, whose background spans rural Georgia agriculture, the 75th Ranger Regiment, wildlife science, and rangeland ecology. Doug brings a wildlife-first lens to grazing—not just how animals eat grass, but how grazing decisions ripple out into birds, deer, turkeys, insects, habitat structure, and even the income potential of your ranch.

We dig into how wildlife and grazing fit together, what habitat components matter most, how producers can inventory wildlife on their land, and how regenerative grazing opens doors to additional enterprises like hunting leases, ecotourism, and wildlife photography. Doug also explains nesting cover vs. roost sites for turkeys, how to adapt your grazing plan for wildlife without sacrificing profitability, and why “realistic expectations” matter more than anything when managing both grass and critters.

Topics Covered

• Doug’s journey from Georgia farm life → military service → wildlife science → Noble Research Institute.
• What “regenerative grazing + wildlife” really means.
• Why realistic expectations are key when managing habitat.
• How to inventory wildlife on your property.
• Differences in wildlife presence between neighboring properties—and why.
• Monetizing wildlife:
  • Hunting leases
  • Waterfowl access
  • Dove fields
  • Fishing
  • Ecotourism
  • Wildlife photography (and how competitive photographers are!)
• Habitat needs for:
  • Bobwhite quail
  • Grassland songbirds
  • Wild turkeys—nesting cover + roost trees
• How grazing decisions influence bird populations (Roots So Deep examples).
• Using rest periods strategically for wildlife habitat.
• The Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP) as a tool for understanding forage history.
• Doug’s favorite book → Beef, Brush, and Bobwhites
• Why market forces matter in conservation decisions.

🎧 Why Listen?

If you’ve ever wondered how wildlife fits into regenerative ranching—or how your grazing decisions affect far more than cattle—this episode will open your eyes. Doug connects soil health, plant communities, wildlife needs, grazing pressure, and producer profitability in a way few people can. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of habitat, new options for income streams, and several practical management tweaks you can apply immediately.

This episode is especially valuable if you’ve been noticing wildlife differences between your property and the neighbors and wondering “why?”

Resources Mentioned

• Noble Research Institute: https://noble.org
• Beef, Brush, and Bobwhites — Guthery & Hernández (ebook ~$10)
• Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP): https://rangelands.app
• Roots So Deep docuseries (bird habitat comparisons)

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Austin Unruh returns for another deep, practical conversation on silvopasture — this time focusing on “the dip,” livestock pressure, pruning, shade strategy, pigs and poultry in tree systems, and what to do in Year Zero before you ever put a seedling in the ground. If you’ve ever stared at your pastures on a hot day wishing you had more shade… this one will light a fire under you.

What we cover in this episode:

• The “dip” in silvopasture: why years 1–4 feel like a grind
• Shade as the low-hanging fruit — and why it’s only the beginning
• Livestock pressure: how to protect trees when cattle, horses, and wildlife want to destroy them
• Pruning young vs. established trees (and the dangers of over-pruning)
• Species selection for different goals: shade, fodder, privacy screens, and livestock feed
• Why mulberries and persimmons shine for pigs and poultry
• Running pigs IN establishment-phase silvopasture (pros, cons, protection methods)
• Tree spacing, patterns, and why grids usually beat random placements
• Managing compaction, vole pressure, and bark hardening
• Year Zero → Year Two: fall tasks, maintenance, ordering trees, and setting up for success
• Why early wins matter psychologically (and how to get them)
• Continuous grazing vs rotational grazing when it comes to tree crops

If you’re serious about silvopasture, this episode gives you a roadmap from the ground up — from species selection and timing to realistic maintenance and livestock integration. Austin breaks down the parts most graziers underestimate: the grind, the setbacks, and the discipline it takes before shade and feed finally show up. Whether you’re planting five trees or five hundred, you’ll walk away with clearer steps and fewer unknowns.

Resources mentioned:

• Trees for Graziers — treesforgraziers.com
• Castor oil vole deterrent products
• Acres U.S.A. (publisher of Austin’s upcoming second edition)
• Liberty apple, crabapple, and apple-crab varieties
• Hybrid willow, hybrid poplar, black locust, honey locust
• Rusted Plowshare Farm (Josh Payne)

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Leslie returns to share what’s changed since her first appearance in Episode 28. She runs Cylon Rolling Acres in northwestern Wisconsin, where she grazes both goats and Texel sheep on pasture and markets meat directly to consumers through a thriving online business. This episode dives deep into her evolution from wholesale to a sustainable, subscription-based direct-to-consumer model — plus her approach to regenerative grazing with multi-species livestock.

Topics Covered

• Managing a mixed flock of goats and Texel sheep under rotational grazing
• Wool utilization and creative uses for lower-grade fleece
• Transitioning from wholesale markets to direct-to-consumer meat sales
• Building a loyal customer base through email marketing and education
• Details of her goat meat subscription model (quarterly boxes, whole-goat option)
• Processing and shipping logistics, including use of dry ice
• Lessons from receiving USDA Value-Added Producer and Buy Local grants
• Educational resources: Goat Meat Primer eBook, Grazing With Leslie blog, and online courses

 If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a small ruminant enterprise into a profitable, direct-to-consumer brand, Leslie’s model is a must-hear. She shares practical insight on managing inventory, shipping meat, marketing through education, and keeping customers subscribed.

Resources Mentioned

• CylonRollingAcres.com
  – Farm website for direct meat sales
• GrazingWithLeslie.com
  – Educational blog for producers
• GrassWorks Grazing Conference (Wisconsin)

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

In this special in-person episode recorded at the South Poll Field Day, Cal sits down with some of the biggest names connected to the South Poll breed and regenerative grazing movement — Teddy Gentry, Greg Judy, Ralph & Jerry Voss, Steve Freeman, and Nathan Hahn.

You’ll hear the story of how the South Poll breed was created, the philosophy behind it, and how it continues to thrive on real-world farms. From developing heat-tolerant genetics and maintaining fertility in tough environments to direct-to-consumer beef and breeding program strategies, this episode captures a living snapshot of regenerative cattle culture in action.

Guests include:

• 🧬 Teddy Gentry — Founder of the South Poll breed, sharing its origin, composite makeup, and the importance of fertility, longevity, and line breeding for efficiency.
• 🌱 Greg Judy — Missouri grazier explaining how South Polls transformed his operation, reduced inputs, and made it possible to quit his off-farm job.
• 👩‍🌾 Ralph & Jerry Voss — Longtime breeders whose herd and friendship with Greg Judy led to some of the most influential South Poll genetics today.
• 🐄 Steve Freeman — Missouri cattleman with over 40 years of experience, describing how South Polls helped him achieve 95% conception rates and a truly profitable grass-only system.
• 🥩 Nathan Hahn — Kentucky farmer finishing and selling beef direct-to-consumer, detailing how South Polls fit perfectly into a low-input, grass-finished operation.

Why You Should Listen

Whether you raise South Polls or not, this episode is packed with wisdom about:

• Selecting for fertility and longevity over size or EPDs.
• Building a profitable cow herd that thrives on grass alone.
• Breeding and marketing strategies for grass-fed genetics.
• The real-world economics and mindset shifts behind regenerative ranching.
• How smaller, calmer, efficient cattle can make you money — and peace of mind.

It’s part history lesson, part grazing masterclass, and a celebration of the community driving the South Poll breed forward.

Resources Mentioned

• South Poll Grass Cattle Association
• Greg Judy – Green Pastures Farm
• Voss South Polls
• Unity Farms

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

In this episode, Cal visits with Shane Maddock, a fourth-generation rancher from north-central North Dakota, where cattle country meets farm country. Shane shares the story of building a regenerative operation through drought, grazing challenges, and generations of learning. He discusses taking over a neighbor’s ranch after returning from National Guard service, developing cross-fenced paddocks and a positive/negative electric system, managing water in the Prairie Pothole Region, and adjusting his grazing philosophy from “a third, a third, a third” to adaptive management guided by what the grass and cattle tell him.

Topics covered

• Growing up on a holistic-management ranch and learning from his father
• Leasing cattle and structuring multi-year cow leases
• Designing high-tensile fencing and pos/neg wiring for sandy soils
• Transitioning from mild rotation to intensive adaptive grazing
• Managing drought risk with insurance pastures and flexible enterprises
• Using Rio Max minerals and observing dramatic feed-efficiency gains
• Calving-date adjustments and hybrid-vigor breeding decisions
• Founding Maddock Ranch Supply and serving the community
• His father receiving North Dakota’s Leopold Conservation Award

 If you’ve ever wondered how to keep cows productive through seven drought years out of eleven—or how to balance generational wisdom with modern regenerative ideas—Shane’s story delivers practical lessons on adaptation, family teamwork, and faith in the land’s resilience.

Resources mentioned

• Maddock Ranch maddockranch.com
• Maddock Ranch Supply  maddockranchsupply.com
• Man, Cattle and Veld – Johan Zietsman
• Grass-Fed Cattle – Julius Ruechel
• Holistic Management – Allan Savory
• Dirt to Soil – Gabe Brown
• North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition Mentorship Program
• Rio Max Minerals - riomax.net

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Stan and his wife began farming in 2021 after adopting four children and realizing they wanted to raise them with meaningful work and stewardship. Starting with neglected, junk-filled land, they’ve built a regenerative, multi-species farm from scratch—learning through Greg Judy, Joel Salatin, and hands-on mistakes.

Topics Covered

• Moving from western Kansas to Arkansas and starting a farm from nothing
• Adopting four children and using the farm as a teaching tool
• Restoring neglected land and hauling off 340 tires
• Early livestock: 11 heifers → sheep → pigs → broilers
• Grant funding from Illinois River Watershed for water lines and fencing
• Pivoting from South Poll beef to a sheep-focused enterprise
• Leader-follower grazing with cattle and hair sheep
• Using C-90 salt, garlic, and apple cider vinegar for mineral programs
• Direct-marketing lamb, pork, and chicken through GrazeCart
• Adding pigs to utilize 30 acres of woods and reduce ticks
• Launching on-farm poultry processing (non-GMO, soy-free feed)
• Stewardship mindset and educational outreach via Harvest Hosts & farm visits
• Future plans: farrow-to-finish Hereford pigs, possible Dexter cows for raw milk, on-farm events, and intentional growth

Stan’s story is a realistic look at starting late, learning fast, and doing it intentionally. From adoption to regenerative restoration, he shows how faith, family, and stewardship intersect on a small Arkansas farm. Whether you’re reclaiming abused land or diversifying your livestock, his experience offers encouragement and practical takeaways.

Resources Mentioned

• Intentional Farms
• Greg Judy Grazing School
• Joel Salatin videos
• The Stockman Grass Farmer
• GrazeCart e-commerce platform
• Illinois River Watershed Alliance grants

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

In this episode, Cal talks with Adam Phomin from Hoof and Beak Farm in eastern Ontario, Canada. Adam shares his journey from fitness coach and gym owner to regenerative farmer, raising sheep, cattle, chickens, and llamas on his 100-acre farm. A first-generation farmer, Adam connects his passion for health and nutrition to raising his own protein and improving the land. He discusses starting from scratch, lessons learned fencing and grazing, using polywire for sheep, the role of llamas as guardians, and the importance of daily progress—both in farming and fitness. Adam also introduces his 5 AM Squat Club, a mindset and movement program he leads live each morning on YouTube.

Topics Covered

• Transitioning from fitness and nutrition to regenerative farming
• Building a 100-acre farm from hayed and degraded land
• Starting with chickens and moving into Katahdin sheep
• Breeding strategies and learning from experience
• Grazing management with polywire and limited time
• Lessons learned from predator pressure and livestock guardians
• Sourcing and raising cattle for seasonal grazing
• Marketing protein through his gym community
• The 5 AM Squat Club: combining mindset, movement, and purpose
• The importance of identity, consistency, and small daily steps

If you’re just getting started or balancing farming with another career, this episode is packed with relatable insights. Adam’s story proves you can build a regenerative operation from scratch—even without an ag background—by focusing on health, mindset, and progress over perfection. His fitness perspective offers a refreshing reminder that farmers are athletes too, and taking care of your body is key to taking care of your land.

Resources Mentioned

• Hoof and Beak Farm: Instagram / Website – @hoofandbeak
• 5 AM Squat Club: YouTube Channel
• Podcasts: Working Cows, Ranching Returns, Beyond Labels (Joel Salatin & Sina McCullough), Ranching Reboot

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

In this episode, Cal visits with Lauren Jorgensen and Frank “Toby” Tobias, owners of Starlight Farm in North Florida. Lauren and Toby share their inspiring transition from suburban professionals to regenerative graziers, managing cattle, horses, and chickens on 108 acres of sandy Florida soil. Their story begins with a daughter’s recommendation to watch Kiss the Ground, which set them on a journey into soil health and regenerative practices. From battling Florida’s unique soil challenges to founding the Florida Soil Health Coalition, they’ve become advocates for soil, community, and mindful stewardship.

Topics Covered

• Lauren & Toby’s background and 20-year journey to Starlight Farm
• Transition from horses to cattle and discovering regenerative grazing
• Influence of Kiss the Ground and attending the Soil Health Academy
• Managing sandy Florida soils and the challenges of bahiagrass
• Bale grazing, cover crops, and learning from failures
• The role of chicken and cow manure in improving fertility
• Surviving hurricanes and adapting to climate extremes
• Starting the Florida Soil Health Coalition — connecting farmers, researchers, and consumers
• Finding balance between purity and practicality in regenerative systems
• Favorite grazing books and tools (from tractors to hay string!)
• Building a life and home rooted in stewardship, love, and laughter

Why You Should Listen

This episode is full of relatable moments for anyone striving to make progress on imperfect land. Lauren and Toby’s enthusiasm and candor highlight how regenerative agriculture is as much about mindset as it is about management. Their story captures the patience, humor, and persistence required to restore soil in Florida’s challenging environment — and how connection, both human and ecological, fuels that process. You’ll also learn about a new grassroots movement growing in the Sunshine State through the Florida Soil Health Coalition.

Resources Mentioned

• Florida Soil Health Coalition: floridasoilhealth.org
• Starlight Farm Grass-Fed Beef: Facebook Page – “Starlight Farm Grass-Fed Beef”
• Tobias Saddlery: ultimatesaddle.com

• Books:
  • Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown
  • A Bold Return to Giving a Damn by Will Harris
  • Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • What Your Food Ate by David R. Montgomery & Anne Biklé
• Organizations & Mentions:
  • Soil Health Academy (Gabe Brown, Allen Williams, Ray Archuleta)
  • Will Harris – White Oak Pastures
  • Jonathan Lundgren – Ecdysis Foundation & 1000 Farms Study

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Dana Tinney Wilson of Chantilly Ranch in Northern California returns to the Grazing Grass Podcast to share what’s new since her first appearance in episode 50. Dana and her husband Gary raise Boer goats, Highland cattle, and Dexter cattle, direct-marketing beef to their community while also using goats for fire abatement and neighborhood grazing services. She talks about adapting her grazing management, expanding into irrigation, and the role her children now play in the family operation. Dana also introduces the infinite banking concept, a financial strategy she has adopted for building resilience and long-term security for her family and ranch.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Dana’s recent marriage and family involvement on the ranch
• Raising Highland and Dexter cattle, including selling direct-to-consumer beef
• The role of goats for meat, fire prevention, and community grazing contracts
• Managing predator pressure and challenges with electric netting
• Shifts in grazing strategy, including irrigation and rest periods
• Building big-picture goals for profitability, regeneration, and legacy
• Considering adding pigs to meet market demand
• How her daughter’s horse training business fits into the ranch vision
• A deep dive into infinite banking and how it can provide stability and intergenerational wealth

This episode is for graziers who want inspiration on building a profitable, regenerative, family-centered ranch while exploring creative ways to finance growth. Dana’s story blends practical grazing insights with long-term financial thinking that may spark new ideas for your own operation.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Chantilly Ranch
• Holistic Management by Allan Savory
• Nelson Nash’s book on Infinite Banking

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Karl Palmberg of Sunlight and Rain in northwest Iowa. Karl shares his journey from growing up on a farm, serving in the Air Force, and eventually returning home to rebuild his family’s cattle operation. He dives into the lessons learned from shifting to no-till farming, integrating livestock for soil health, and experimenting with genetics for grass-fed beef. A major focus of this conversation is Karl’s experience adopting virtual fencing technology with Gallagher’s eShepherd collars—how it’s changed his management, saved time, and opened new possibilities for grazing.

Topics covered include:

• Karl’s beginnings with cattle in junior high and how those early experiences shaped his path
• Transitioning from conventional tillage to no-till and strip-till farming
• The role of livestock in building soil health
• Practical fencing tools: reels, polywire, fiberglass posts, energizers, and water infrastructure
• Breeding strategy and focusing on functional, easy-fleshing cattle genetics
• Shifting toward grass finishing and direct-to-consumer beef sales
• The challenges and opportunities of marketing grass-fed beef
• A deep dive into virtual fencing: training animals, collar fit, technology quirks, and labor savings
• Lessons learned about humility, innovation, and adapting systems on the farm

Karl’s story is a reminder of how regenerative practices are often a process of trial, error, and persistence. His candid take on the benefits and limitations of virtual fencing offers practical insight for graziers considering this new technology.

If you’ve wondered whether virtual collars could fit into your grazing system—or if you’re curious about one farmer’s path from conventional tillage to regenerative practices—this episode is packed with honest lessons and real-world advice. Karl’s mix of military discipline, family heritage, and innovative curiosity makes for a compelling story.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Sunlight and Rain – Karl’s farm
• Gallagher Animal Management – eShepherd virtual fencing system
• Joel Salatin’s The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey